Academic Teams

Overview

The Academic Decathlon is an academic team competition, often referred to as the “ultimate college prep experience,” that challenges students to develop knowledge and skills across ten academic disciplines, including mathematics, science, literature, art, music, economics, social science, and public speaking through speech, interview, and essay events. Students of all achievement levels are encouraged to participate and have the opportunity to grow through academic preparation, teamwork, and competition.

Each year is centered around a unifying theme that encourages students to make meaningful connections across subjects and apply their learning in new ways. Through preparation and competition, students strengthen their critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and academic skills while representing Crean Lutheran at the regional, state, and potentially national levels. If interested, please contact Mrs. Kemp at stacy.kemp@creanlutheran.org.

Overview

The USA Biolympiad (USABO) biology competition for high school students enriches their life science education. It provides the curricular resources and skills training to take them beyond their classroom experience to the level of international competitiveness. 

There are two rounds of challenging exams. Over six thousand students from the United States will compete in round one narrowing the field to about 10%. Following round two, twenty finalists are invited to a residential training program where they learn advanced biological concepts and exacting lab skills at the USABO National Finals. Ultimately, four students earn the right as USA Biolympiad Team to represent the USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), a worldwide competition involving student teams from over seventy countries.

Overview

The Chemistry Olympiad Team is an academic team that competes in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) competition from American Chemical Society. The first round of the competition is hosted at an off-site school in Orange County in March. The top students from the first round of competition will be selected to compete in the National Chemistry Olympiad exam in April. To be eligible for the Chemistry Olympiad Team, students must have completed or be currently enrolled in AP chemistry; additionally, students must be a U.S. citizen or in possession of a green card to be eligible for the National Chemistry Olympiad. The team is open for participation of all eligible students. Four of the team members will be selected to compete in the local section exam.

Overview

Math Olympiad Team is an academic team that competes throughout the school year in various math competitions. In the fall season, our team takes part in the Math Madness event hosted by Arete Labs. This event is an online event taking place at lunchtime in the classroom once per week. Our team competes by adding its best five scores in each contest and comparing it against another school we are matched up with. After the completion of the math madness event, our math olympiad team competes individually in the American Math Competition in February. This competition is a qualifying exam for the International Math Olympiad, the most prestigious high school math competition in the world. All students interested in the math olympiad team are welcome to join, but weekly attendance is required.

Overview

The Mock Trial Team competes in the annual Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County (CRF-OC) Mock Trial competition. While the team is fielded by the Law Cohort program, at present, the team is open to all interested students even if they are not in the cohort. The team practices extensively in September and October in advance of the November competition. The competition is held in the Orange County Central Justice Center in real courtrooms in front of real judges. Per CRF-OC, "Mock Trial is an innovative, engaging and often life-changing civic education program that combines performance-based, law-related education with tournament-style, academic competition. High school students, working in teams under the guidance of volunteer attorney coaches and teachers, analyze the facts of a hypothetical criminal court case, prepare trial strategy and enact every role in the trial proceedings."

Overview

Crean Lutheran’s Model UN Team competes in various conferences throughout Southern California. These conferences draw participants from around the world where students hone in on skills such as diplomacy, negotiation, critical thinking, compromise, public speaking, writing, and research. Before each conference, students are assigned countries and current global issues.  For months they research, write, and prepare information on their assigned country’s stance on issues and how to best develop peaceful and effective solutions. Once at a conference, they compete in mock UN simulations to achieve various goals and awards. All Crean Lutheran students are welcome to join, but participation in at least two conferences a year is required.

Overview

Physics Olympiad Team is an academic team that competes in a national physics competition called F=ma hosted by The American Association of Physics Teachers. This event is an online test which takes place after school. Students must be a U.S. citizen or in possession of a green card to be eligible to participate. This test is a qualifying exam for the International Physics Olympiad which takes place in the spring. All students interested in the Physics Olympiad team are welcome to join. If interested please contact Mrs. Henry at kelsey.henry@creanlutheran.org. 

Overview

Robotics Team is an academic team that competes in the Vex EDR Robotics Competition which changes year to year. We have 4-5 separate teams that focus on their own robot including design, construction, programming, strategy, and driving. This is a student-directed team where students are responsible for their team's budgets and goals.  Under the supervision of the Robotics coach, teams spend the fall semester designing and building a robot then focus on competing after their robot is completed. Competitions are all-day events that occur throughout the year, with the State championships occurring in February/March and the World Championships occurring in March/April. Each team competes individually at competitions with awards given for design, excellence, and competition winners. All students are welcome to join, but entrance fees and weekly attendance is required to compete.

Overview

The Science Olympiad Team is an academic team of 15 students who compete in 23 STEM topics. Categories include core knowledge topics in anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science as well build events where students make devices such as balsa wood bridges or aircrafts, wheeled vehicles, and projectile launchers. Most team members are assigned 3 topics and compete in teams of 2-3 students. Team members prepare in the fall and winter for the Orange County regional competition in February. Top teams advance to the Southern California State Tournament in April. The state champion represents Southern California at the National Tournament in May.

Overview